Improvement in car-couplings



- 2 Sheets--Sheet1. R. GILBHBIST. Car-Couplings.

Patented March 3, I874;

R. GILCHRIST.. Bar-Couplings.

N0.l48,205, Patented March 3,1874.

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imlllh [law/Z202" M 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

UNITED ROBERT GILOHRIST, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLING$.

To all wh m it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT GILonRIsr, of Louisville, in the county ofJefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented an Improvement inGar-Couplings, of which the following is a specification:

Figure l is a plan view of my improved coupling device, showing aportion of one of the draw-heads, the coupling-bolt, and the dogs forlooking it in its place. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section, showing theconstruction and arrangement of the parts, with the coupling-link justentering the head. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a portion of the draw-head,the coupling-pin, and an arm attached thereto for uncoupling the cars;and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the coupling-pin and its arm.

Corresponding letters denote corresponding parts in all of the figures.

This invention relates to that class of devices which are denominatedautomatic car-couplings; and it consists in the construction of thecoupling-pin, and in the combination and arrangement of certain of theparts, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

In constructing car-couplings of this type, I use a draw-head, A, whichmay consist of a rectangular box with suitable strengtheningflanges uponits outer end,'or it may be of two bars of metal with a head secured totheir outer ends. Through the top and bottom plates of this box, orthrough the two bars of a drawhead, slots A A are formed, for thepurpose of allowing the coupling-link to pass through, asshown in Fig.2; and in. order that such link may have the required amount of motionimparted to it, and not be in danger of being thrown out of its place,there. is a projection, B, formed upon the upper surface of the box, orbolted upon the bar when wrought-iron is used, it having a reservoir inits under surface for the reception of the lower end of. the pin, whenit is in position to enter or pass out of the coupling-link. The upperplate or bar of the draw-head is also provided with two projecting ears,0 O, which are attached to the head or to a plate, C, secured thereto,said ears projecting upward and forward, as shown ,in Figs. 1, 2, and 3,they being provided with notches for the reception of a flange upon thecoupling-pin. 'For attaching this draw-head Specification forming partof Letters Patent No. 148,205, data d March 3, 1874; application filedJanuary 7, 1874.

to the cars, any suitable shank may be attached to its rear end, uponwhich the spring may be placed. The coupling-pins D, which it isdesigned to use in connection with the head, is of peculiarconstruction, its peculiarities being clearly shown in Fig. 4, where itwill be seen that that portion thereof which, when it is in position toreceive the force applied to move the car, as seen in Fig. 2, isstraight and vertical, and that it rests firmly against the ends of theslots A and A while its opposite side is beveled for the purpose ofcarrying its opposite or rear edge back far enough to allow the portionD to extend therefrom at the proper point. This last-named portionextends up ward above the upper surface of the draw-head for somedistance, when it is reduced in size or is supplied with a collar, uponwhich rests an arm, D which extends rearward for any required distance,and is furnished with a ring or other suitable device to which to attacha cord or chain, with which to tilt the pin into such a position as toallow the link to pass out of the head, or, in other words, to uncouplethe cars, which may be effected by a person standing on the top thereof,or at their sides, it being necessary, in the latter case, to have thecord or chain pass over a pulley or support, or the upper portion, andnear the edge of the cars. Upon the front side of the pin there is aprojection, to the outer end of which a cross-bar, D is secured, thelower surface of which rests upon the upper surface of the draw-head,its upper edge being provided with recesses, as shown. When it becomesdesirable to uncouple the cars, the necessary force is applied to thecord or chain above alluded to,

which causes the pin to Vibrate upon the edge of its bars D and itslower portion is thrown up out of the link and into the recess in theprojection B upon the draw-head. When the end of the link has beenremoved from the head, if the link is freed from restraint, its owngravity will cause it to assume the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3,andif the coupling-link,whichis in the draw-head of another car, isbrought in contact with it while it is in this position, its lower endwill be forced backward until the link will pass it, when it willimmediately re turn to its original position, and the cars will becoupled together without the interposition of the brakesman or any oneelse, which will save them from running the risks incurred in couplingcars with draw-bars constructed without automatic couplings.

To prevent this pin from being unintentionally removed from the head,and provide for its ready removal when necessary, latches E E arepivoted to the same, so that when the pin is in position, they may beswung into the proper position over the slots formed in the bars D andthus prevent the pin from being lifted out of its place.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent isl"he combination of the draw-head A, having theprojecting ears 0 G, the coupling-pin D, and latches E E, the partsconstructed to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

ROBERT GILGIIRIST. "Witnesses:

T. E. 0. KING, HUGH Hnvs.

